Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art celebrates The Kemper Collection

Written by Ingrid Potterfield Sunday, 08 January 2012 21:31

Kansas Ciity, MO - This exhibition celebrates the 36 modern and contemporary works acquired through the generosity of the William T. Kemper Collecting Initiative to date. On exhibition 3 May through 20 July, 2008. William T. Kemper was passionate about all art, but in particular championed contemporary art of his own time. To honor his spirit of curiosity and imagination, the William T. Kemper Foundation — Commerce Bank, Trustee in 1999 presented the Nelson-Atkins with a remarkable gift: $1 million each year for 10 years to be used for the acquisition of modern and contemporary art.

It was a transforming gift, allowing the Museum to buy an average of four significant works of art each year since 1999 including works by artists Marcel Duchamp, Adolph Gottlieb, Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, Kerry James Marshall, Bridget Riley, Anish Kapoor, Kiki Smith, Felix Gonzales-Torres and many others. The collecting effort will continue into 2009.

The collecting initiative has been a collaborative effort led by Jan Schall, Sanders Sosland Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, and, as of 2003, Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale School of Art and former Senior Curator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Museum Mission

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is dedicated to the enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts and the varied cultures they represent. It is committed through its collections and programs to being a vital partner in the educational and cultural life of Kansas City and a preeminent institution both nationally and internationally.

The Nelson-Atkins strives to achieve this goal by adherence to the highest professional standards in the collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of works of art. Visit :  www.nelson-atkins.org/